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Managing WordPress Plugins

WordPress comes with all you need to create a basic website or blog, but some people find that they want more than what comes in the default installation. This is where the WordPress Plugin comes in. The plugins you choose to install can add a host of new functionality to your WordPress site. From comment area spam filters to submission forms. From event calendars, to search engine optimization packages. You want it? Odds are very good there is a Plugin for it!

Two notes of caution -

1) Be careful where you get your Plugins. We strong recommend that you only utilize Plugins officially supported by WordPress.org - http://wordpress.org/plugins/. IMPORTANT - Plugins from unknown, untrusted sources may contain malicious files or security risks.

2) It's vital that you make sure your selected Plugins are up to date at all times. Remove old Plugins that are no longer in use.

2) In the Dashboard's right hand menu select Plugins and then Add New -

3) On this next page, you have the option of browsing the provided categories (Featured, Popular, Newest, etc), searching for Key Words or Tags, or finding Themes that have a specific features you are looking for.

4) Once you have found the Plugin you are looking for, click Install Now to begin the process. You will be asked to confirm your choice.

5) WordPress will take a few moments to grab the related Plugin files and install them. Once that is complete, you will be presented with the option to Activate Plugin. Click to do so. After that you will be present with a link to configure the settings for the Plugin you have installed. The steps following this will vary greatly depending on the Plugin you have chosen.

If, for any reason, you find that your recently installed Plugin is not working for you, you are offered the options of deactivating or deleting the plugin you have just installed. Please see the information about these actions below!

Uploading a new Plugin -

1) Log in to your WordPress DashBoard.

2) In the Dashboard's right hand menu select Plugins and then Add New -

3) On this next page, you have the option of browsing the provided categories (Featured, Popular, Newest, etc), searching for Key Words or tags, or finding Themes that have a specific features you are looking for. If you have found your desired plugin and already have the related files in a zip package, you also have the option to upload these files. Click to Upload. You will be presented with the ability to browse for the zip file in question and upload it -

After you have browsed your local computer and selected the zip file in question, click to Open. You will then be offered the option to Install Now.

WordPress will take a few moments to grab the related Plugin files and install them. Once that is complete, you will be presented with the option to Activate Plugin. Click to do so -

After that you will be presented with a link to configure the settings for the Plugin you have installed. The steps following this will vary greatly depending on the Plugin you have chosen.

If, for any reason, you find that your recently installed Plugin is not working for you, you are offered the options of deactivating or deleting the plugin you have just installed. Please see the information about these actions below!

How to update your installed Plugins -

1) Log in to your WordPress DashBoard.

2) In the Dashboard's right hand menu select Updates -

The above images shows that this user has 4 updates to complete. The number of updates you need to perform with vary at any given time.

3) Take a look at the resulting page. You may have both Themes and Plugins to update.

4) If you have Plugins installed that need to be updated, select the specific Plugin or Select All and click to update -

WordPress will take a little time to grab the files and complete the update. Ideally when all is said and done, you will see information confirming that your updates are complete. It might look like this -

IMPORTANT - If you have older Plugins that you are no longer using, it is still vital to keep these updated. Even when inactive, the older Plugin data remains in your account and can be a security risk. If you are certain you no longer need a specific Plugin, it's best to remove it entirely. See below for more detail.

Deactivating and Removing Plugins -

1) Log in to your WordPress DashBoard.

2) In the Dashboards right hand menu select Plugins and then Installed Plugins

3) On this new page you will have the option to deactivate any active plugins. You do so by simply clicking the Deactivate link -

IMPORTANT - Any Plugin or Theme that remains in your WordPress installation is a potential source of security issues, so they must be actively maintained. Just deactivating a plugin does not remove the files from your account and WordPress installation. As long as the plugin is listed in your Dashboard, you will need to make sure that you maintain it by doing the upgrades when they become available. If you are no longer using a particular Plugin, it’s best that you delete it from your Wordpress installation.

Please note - Plugins need to be deactivated before they can be deleted.

4) If you want to go a step further and remove the plugin you have just deactivated, you will now see that you have the option to Delete said Plugin -

5) You will be asked to confirm this action wight he follow -

Click Yes, Delete These Files. And that’s it. The plugin has been removed and will no longer pose any security risks to your WordPress site or Datarealm account!